BUFFALO BILLS PLACE CB KAIIR ELAM ON IR, SIGN VETERAN DT LINVAL JOSEPH
The Buffalo Bills have made a significant roster move, placing cornerback Kaiir Elam on injured reserve due to a lingering ankle injury. The decision was made by general manager Brandon Beane to ensure the full recovery and healing of the Bills’ 2022 first-round pick.
Elam’s health has been a concern, and Beane acknowledged that the decision to place him on injured reserve was partly due to his performance not meeting expectations. However, Beane remains hopeful that Elam will follow a similar trajectory to that of Josh Norman, who struggled initially but eventually found success in his third year.
To address the void left by Elam’s absence, the Bills signed veteran defensive tackle Linval Joseph. Joseph, who previously played for the Philadelphia Eagles, started eight games last season. His addition will provide depth to the Bills’ defensive line, especially after DaQuan Jones suffered a quad injury and was also placed on injured reserve.
Head coach Sean McDermott revealed that Elam aggravated his ankle injury during the team’s Week 6 victory over the New York Giants. Although Elam participated fully in practice leading up to Week 8, he was limited in the practices leading up to Week 7.
Despite his injury, Elam has been diligently working to recover and improve his performance. Beane praised Elam’s commitment and professionalism, emphasizing that he is doing everything possible to regain his confidence and contribute to the team’s success.
This season, Elam has been inactive for five games, including Week 8 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In that game, Norman was chosen over Elam to play special teams. Next Gen Stats data reveals that in the two games Elam started, he allowed an average of 9.6 yards per target, the highest among cornerbacks on the team. He has given up 10 receptions on 14 targets for a total of 135 yards.
To bolster their cornerback position, the Bills made a trade just before the deadline, acquiring Rasul Douglas. This move was prompted by the season-ending injury to Tre’Davious White, who tore his Achilles. McDermott praised Douglas for his ball production and physicality, highlighting his ability to make tackles.
Despite Elam’s struggles, Beane confirmed that trading him was not considered. As a young player in his second season, the team believes in Elam’s potential and is committed to helping him regain his confidence and reach his full potential.
In conclusion, the Buffalo Bills have placed cornerback Kaiir Elam on injured reserve due to an ankle injury. The team hopes that this move will allow Elam to fully recover and heal. In the meantime, the Bills have signed veteran defensive tackle Linval Joseph to provide depth on the defensive line. The team remains optimistic about Elam’s future and is committed to supporting his development.